Head, neck and shoulder wrap

ABSTRACT

A wrap for the head, neck and shoulders of a medical patient comprises a head section and a skirt section. The head section defines a face aperture approximating the size of said patient&#39;s face and defines a neck aperture approximating the size of said patient&#39;s neck. The head section is sized to enclose the patient&#39;s head. The skirt section is secured to the head section adjacent to the neck aperture and extends to a hem. The skirt section is sized to enclose said patient&#39;s shoulders. A releasable seam in the skirt section extends from the neck aperture to the hem.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates generally to garments used for patients in a medical environment and more particularly to a wrap for retaining heat in the head, neck and shoulder region of a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the field of medicine it is recognized that patients, particularly surgical patients, lose substantial body heat during and after medical procedures, which can lead to hypothermia, i.e. subnormal body temperature. Many efforts have been made to maintain normal body temperatures in medical patients, particularly surgical patients. Improved thermal blankets have been developed such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,216 to Kappel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,8009,489 to Augustine and U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,084 to Augustine et al. In each of these cases, however, the head, neck and, in some cases, the shoulder area of a patient remains exposed to the ambient environment and therefore subject to a loss of body heat and potentially hypothermia.

[0005] In many cases, a medical patient is under sedation or otherwise incapable of, or even assisting in, the application of a garment. This is particularly true during surgery or immediately thereafter, when hypothermia is most likely to develop. A garment intended for use by a medical patient must be easily applied and removed from a patient who is incapable of assisting with the application or removal of the garment.

[0006] In some cases, patient have tubes or other medical equipment connected through their mouths or noses. It is not desirable to disturb such equipment in the application of coverings.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a garment for covering the head, neck and shoulders of a medical patient.

[0008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a garment that is easily applied to a patient that is incapable of assisting in the application.

[0009] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a garment that is applied to a patient without substantially moving the patient.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment that will not disturb medical equipment installed on or about a patient's face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the present invention a wrap is provided for application to the head, neck and shoulders of a medical patient. The wrap includes a head section adapted to covering the head (except for the face) and the neck of the patient. A skirt section of the wrap is adapted to cover the shoulders of the patient. The wrap is easily applied over the head of a patient, without requiring substantial movement of the patient's arms, torso or head. The wrap covers the areas of the patient that are usually exposed as the patient reposes on a surgical table or bed under a sheet and blanket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the claims and drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is front elevation view of a wrap in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is rear elevation view of a wrap in accordance with the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a wrap in accordance with the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is perspective view of a wrap in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring now to the Figures in which like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding features, there is shown in FIG. 1 a wrap 10. The wrap 10 includes a head section 12 adapted to cover the head and neck of a patient. A face aperture 14 is defined in the head section 12 to prevent covering the patient's face, obstructing the sight or breathing of the patient or interfering with medical equipment located adjacent to the patient's face. The face aperture 14 is generally oval in shape, having a major axis that is about the same length as the distance from a patient's chin to the top of the forehead and a minor axis that is about the same length as the distance between a patient's ears. A neck aperture 15 is defined in the bottom of the head section 12.

[0018] The wrap 10 also includes a skirt section 16 adapted to cover a patient's shoulders, extending from the neck aperture 15 to a hem 17. The skirt section 16 is secured to the head section 12 around the periphery of the neck aperture 15 to form an integral wrap 10. In the depicted embodiment, the skirt section 16 includes a central seam 18 that extends from the neck aperture 15 to the hem 17. The seam 18 is secured with a hook and loop fasteners (not shown), such as those sold under the trademark Velcro. The seam 18 is thus selectively opened or secured.

[0019] The wrap 10 is made of a woven or non-woven fabric, such as cotton, that is easily washed and sterilized. Alternatively, the fabric may be disposable. Preferably the fabric is flame retardant and resistant to static electricity.

[0020] The wrap 10 is applied to a patient by sliding the hem 17 of the skirt section 16 under the head and under the shoulders of the patient until the crown 20 of the head section 12 contacts the top of the patient's head. Thereafter, the seam 18 is secured over the patient's chest, using hook and loop fasteners, for example. The wrap 10 is removed by opening the seam 18 and sliding the wrap 10 out from under the patient's shoulders and head.

[0021] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other types of fasteners, such as buttons, may be used for releasably securing the seam 18. It will also be recognized that various sizes of wraps may be used in order to accommodate various sizes of patients.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the seam 18 may be permanently secured, as by sewing, and the wrap may be applied by pulling it over the head of a patient.

[0023] A wrap in accordance with the present invention covers the shoulders, neck and head (except the face) of a medical patient to retain body heat and prevent hypothermia. The wrap is readily applied to a patient unable to assist in the application, requires very little movement of the patient for application or removal and will not disturb medical equipment located adjacent to the patient's face.

[0024] While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure, but rather is intended to cover all modifications and alternate embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A wrap for the head, neck and shoulders of a medical patient comprising: a head section defining a face aperture approximating the size of said patient's face and defining a neck aperture approximating the size of said patient's neck, said head section being sized to enclose said patient's head, and a skirt section secured to said head section adjacent to said neck aperture and extending to a hem, said skirt section being sized to enclose said patient's shoulders.
 2. A wrap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said skirt section includes a releasable seam.
 3. A wrap in accordance with claim 2 wherein said releasable seam is secured with hook and loop fasteners.
 4. A wrap in accordance with claim 2 wherein said releasable seam extends from said face aperture to said hem.
 5. A wrap in accordance with claim 4 wherein said releasable seam is secured with hook and loop fasteners.
 6. A wrap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wrap comprises a fire resistant fabric.
 7. A wrap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wrap comprises a sterile fabric. 